15 Things You Need To Know About Kalamazoo

With my new co-worker Mark Frankhouse experiencing Southwest Michigan for the first time, I wanted to give him a heads up on some of the really cool things to do here, as well as some great trivia about our amazing little piece of the world.

Bell's Brewery -Not only the largest microbrewery in Michigan, Bell’s Brewery is also the first and oldest craft-brewer east of Boulder, Colorado

Gibson Guitars - The iconic guitar was originally made right here in downtown Kalamazoo.

Do Dah Parade - Is the unofficial kickoff to summer in Kalamazoo. The Do-Dah Parade is a Kalamazoo tradition. The parade is nonprofit, community organizing, and a grab your friends kind of event. The parade it opens the doors to groups that want to do something silly, dumb, and poke fun of a person, place, or thing.

The Kalamazoo Mall - Built in 1959, the Kalamazoo Mall is the 1st outdoor pedestrian shopping mall in the U.S.

Abraham Lincoln- Kalamazoo was the only visit to Michigan that President Lincoln ever made.

T.J. Duckett - T.J. went to Loy Norrix High School, then on to play running back for the Atlanta Falcons, the Washington Redskins, the Detroit Lions, and the Seattle Seahawks.

The Barn Theatre - The Barn Theatre School For Advanced Theatre Training was created to administer to the participating Apprentices a program of instruction, training, and practical experience in the preparation and presentation of theatrical productions.

The Frank Lloyd Wright House - Frank Lloyd Wright (1869-1959) was one of America’s most influential twentieth century architects. His concept of the Usonian House– “a home of the common people”–can be seen in eight homes that he designed in Kalamazoo County.